Over the past two weeks I was lucky enough to have a few visitors from the US. First to arrive, with no more than a week and a half notice, was my good friend from Villanova, Steve Gentoso. For those of you unaware of who this young man is, he is the brave soul who ventured with me on BOTH of my journeys driving across the country last year. Both routes, to and from SD to Philly; oh, and he also happened to play on my rugby team with me. Upon his arrival, I immediately sent him on a solo journey to the North of Peru to visit Mancora. Due to the short notice of his arrival, I had work all week in Lima, so I sent him up to the beach towns where I knew he would enjoy himself more (he did). He made it back to Lima by Friday in time to meet up with another friend of mine from ‘Nova who had arrived in Peru to volunteer in hospitals, Kaela.
We had a few drinks Friday night, but since I had a rugby game Saturday, we didn’t go too crazy. Saturday, Steve and Kaela came and watched my game, we won! The two of them had arrived on the perfect weekend as a buddy on the rugby team was celebrating his birthday at his aunt’s Peña. A Peña is a traditional Peruvian music club filled with folkloric music/shows, dancing, drinking and eating. Needless to say, we had a blast, and they got to know a bunch of guys from the team. The following week, Kaela and Steve made their way back up to Mancora for another sun-soaked week. I, unfortunately, could not accompany them due to work and the fact that I will be going in two weeks with Casey and J-Mac.
After another week up North, Friday night, Steve made his way back to Jersey (for Father’s Day) and Kaela made her way back to Lima. Once again, I had a rugby game Saturday (my LAST one down here!), so we took it easy that night. Another convincing win and a delicious BBQ at the field kicked off the Saturday festivities. Following the game, we all made our way to check out a new bar in Miraflores which may soon become our official team bar. We spent the night drinking, enjoying a bit of food and possibly a little too much laughter. It was a treat to spend such a memorable last game/night with my team, Old Markham, and I look forward to my next chance to play with them in the future (Possibly this Halloween)!
A quick note…I have failed. It is difficult to admit, but it is true. My attempt to spend 500+ days basking in the sun, tanning and enjoying the smiles that a beautiful, sun drenched day puts on each and every individuals face has ended at almost EXACTLY one year. If you include the last month or two of my senior year at Villanova (April and May), I was able to arrive, be it by plane, train, bus or automobile, to a land of sunshine and smiles during my journey around the Americas during the last year. Be it the beautiful beaches of San Diego, the gorgeous mountains of Vermont, the sun-stretched Andes in Argentina, or the beautiful sunsets in Peru, the sun has been there to join me through it all. Until now; thus, I have failed. But fear not, as I am back to chasing the sun North as I head to Colombia and then on to Panama in the coming months! Bring me back my sun!
My next round of tourists will be arriving tomorrow and early Thursday morning. We quickly head to Cusco this weekend for the Inti Raymi festival (one of the largest in Peru all year) and a stop off at Machu Picchu. Like I mentioned before, we will then head up North to Mancora for six days, and then they are back to the States.
Since I don’t see myself posting while the two of them are here, Happy Fourth to everyone who follows! Have a wonderful long weekend when it arrives and be proud to wear the Red, White and Blue…we are lucky to be so privileged!
You seem to have forgotten to talk about ur strip tease!
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